Knitting machine needle structure and operating means therefor



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KNITTING CH NEEDLE STRU RE AND OPE I MEANS THEREF Filed Sept. 18, 1952 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 1955 R. c. AMIDON 2,714,811

KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE STRU RE AND OPERATING MEANS THERE Filed Sept. 18, 1952 13 Sheets-Sheet '7 TIE-11% A7TORNEK l3 Sheets-Sheet 8 R. C. AMIDON N ACHINE NEEDLE STRUC O ATING MEANS THEREF Aug. 9, 1955 KNI A Filed Sept. 18, 1952 A7TORN E Y.

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1955 R. c. AMIDON KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR l3 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Sept. 18, 1952 INVENTOR:

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KNITTING MACHIN EEDLE STR URE AND OPERATING MEANS THERE R Filed Sept. 18, 1952 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 FIG. :35

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KNITTING MIA CHINE NEEDLE ST'KL'UTURE AND OPERATING MEANS THPHEFOR l5 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed Sept. 18, 1952 00k e/s'meyzfi yam uide 6' 999 um web fin que ekmezzi' 2 5/720??? 5 INVENTOR: Cf Amuion AWORNEY.

United States Patent KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Roy C. Amidon, Jackson, Ala., assignor to Vanity Fair Mills, Inc., Reading, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvama Application September 18, 1952, Serial No. 310,345

15 Claims. (Cl. 66-36) This invention relates to the art of knitting and has more particular reference to warp or tricot type knitting machine means and methods involving a needle structure which comprises a complementary pair of elements that are utilized to form loops or stitches and for this purpose carry out a certain cooperative longitudinal sliding movement relative to each other, as Well as a certain movement in unison, during the knitting cycle, as typified by the disclosure of my U. S. Patent No. 2,400,476, which was issued May 21, 1946.

One object of my invention is to provide a novel needle structure of the type indicated, comprising a pair of complementary elements, i. e., a separate hook element and a separate tongue element, which elements are designed and constructed for operation in a certain manner so as to perform a novel knitting or loop forming operation with maximum precision, eificiency and speed.

Another object is to provide novel means for operating the elements of my said needle structure in a certain manner during the knitting cycle.

A further object is to provide a needle structure of the type indicated in which both the hook element and the tongue element are each provided with a special flat mating, or contacting surface, which surfaces are complementary relative to each other and cooperate with each other in a certain manner.

It is also an object to provide such a needle structure in which one of the elements comprises a shank member having a hook element integrally formed at one end thereof, which hook element is provided with a special flat mating surface that extends along its front from the hook tip to the hook bight portion and is arranged at an angle to the shank member of the hook element.

Another object is to provide such a needle structure in which the hook element is formed of usual round needle stock and the fiat mating surface of said hook element is located at the tip section thereof, below the bight portion of the hook element, so that said bight portion retains its usual circular or rounded cross-sectional configuration and the circular surface of the bight portion serves to deflect the conventional reciprocating yarn feeding guides away from said flat surface, in the event that said guides come in contact with the surface of the hook element, at either side thereof, during their reciprocating movement between the adjacently arranged needle structures of my invention.

Another object is to provide such a needle structure in which the shank of the hook element is provided with a groove in which a tongue section of the tongue element is adapted to rest at one time for united movement with the hook element and at another time to slide longitudinally for guided movement of the tongue section relative to the hook of the hook element.

Another feature of my invention resides in the pro- "ice vision of such a needle structure in which the tongue element is provided with an upper tongue section adapted to have sliding movement in the groove of the hook element, an intermediate shank section which extends angularly and downwardly away from said upper tongue section, and a second shank section of greater length than said intermediate shank section, which lower shank section serves as a constant spring factor, or means adapted to constantly maintain the tongue section in a certain tensional or pressure relation, within the groove of the hook element.

Another object is to provide such a needle structure in which the indicated cooperating parts of the hook element and tongue element are designed to eflect and maintain a constant free sliding contact relation of such order as to prevent the development of excessive frictional heat during their cooperation and when the knitting machine in which my needle structure is installed, attains an operating speed of 1000 R. P. M., or a higher speed.

A still further object is to provide such a needle structure which includes a series of hook elements and a corresponding number of complemental tongue elements each of which is provided with a butt end section, so that a plurality of each of the same respective elements can be readily combined and cast in adjacently aligned relationship in a leaded mounting block to form element units adapted to be rigidly and precisely secured to their respective rigid operating bars and to readily permit complete assembly of the needle structure parts in operating relation so that the spring sections of the individual tongue elements will maintain a certainconstant predetermined pressure against their respective c0- operating hook element, as well as maintain the upper tongue portions of the tongue elements in a certain cooperating relation in the grooves provided therefor in the hook elements.

Another object is to provide novel resilient, or spring means, arranged to apply a selective pressure, or force, against the tongue element supports that move along a special guide surface so as to effect precise united and relative coaction of the tongue elements with the hook elements, as well as to eifect precise alignment of the tongue portions of the tongue elements with the sliding surface in the grooves of the hook elements, and to effect a certain sliding relationship between said parts of the cooperating tongue and hook elements during each operating cycle thereof, irrespective of any slight incidental or accidental forward or rearward deflection or movement of the assembled hook and tongue unit, or wear conditions resulting from operating movement of said parts.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel motivating means adapted to effect cooperative movement of the elements of said needle structure in a certain manner and in proper timed relation with the other knitting elements, such as the yarn feeding guides, sinkers, etc., during the knitting cycle.

Another object is to provide a novel knitting method, or process, involving the use of my indicated needle structure. A

With these and other objects in view, which will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the various embodiments of my improvements illustrated in the accompanying drawings, my invention comprises the novel needle structure, the operating means therefor, as well as the elements, features of construction, arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship, and the new method of knitting, as more particularly defined by the hereto appended claims.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a greatly enlarged partial side elevational view of one of the individually operable needle bar segments of the needle structure forming part of my invention.

- Fig. 2 is a partial front elevational view of the needle element shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial side elevational view of the second individually operable needle bar segment of the needle structure forming part of my invention.

Fig. 4 is a partial elevational view of the needle element shown in Fig. 3, as seen by looking at the latter from the left.

Figs. 5 and'6 are cross-sectional views of the needle element shown in Fig. 1, taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 55 and 6-6 on the latter.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial side elevational view of certain loop forming members of the knitting mechanism here involved and shows the knitting elements of Figs. 1 and 3 combined and in their respective positional relationship attained during one phase of the loop forming or knitting cycle.

Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views taken substantially as indicated by the arrows 88 and 99 on Fig. 7.

Figs. 10 to inclusive are similar elevational sectional views of a certain part of the knitting mechanism here involved, including the needle elements disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, as well as certain cooperating parts, and illustrate said needle elements and cooperating parts in the relative positions which they occupy during the novel knitting cycle and loop forming process of my invention.

Figs. 16 and 17 are, respectively, a rear elevational view and a side sectional view of a modified arrangement of certain parts of my invention.

' Figs. 18 and 19 are similar side sectional views of two additional modified arrangements of certain parts of my invention.

Figs. 20 to 23 inclusive, are similar elevational sectional views of the cam shaft and operating means of the knitting mechanism here involved, for imparting the proper movements, respectively to the tongue element of the needle structure shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the hook element of the needle structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the usual knitting machine sinkers, and the usual knitting machine yarn feeding guides, during the knitting cycle.

Fig. 24 is a curve diagram, or chart, which illustrates the vertical positional relationship of the various cooperating loop forming parts, or elements, of the novel knitting mechanism here involved, as attained during those phases of the knitting cycle illustrated by Figs. 10 to 15 inclusive.

It will be helpful to an understanding of my invention to first briefly consider the more important aspects and features thereof. Accordingly, it is noted that the twopart needle structure of my invention is particularly adapted for use in tricot or warp knitting machines equipped with usual reciprocating yarn feeding guides, sinkers, etc., that cooperate with the machine needle devices to produce a knitted fabric of successive courses of loops arranged in interconnected relation, as well known in the art of machine knitting.

The two separate elements comprising my novel needle structure, are adapted to be individually operated in novel manner, by means of and in accordance with a method also forming part of my invention.

One important feature of my novel needle structure resides in the unique arrangement or assemblage of the hook and tongue elements in conjunction with other novel cooperating parts, so as to permit high speed operation of the combined hook and tongue unit in precise and eflicient manner during the knitting cycle, irrespective of any slight incidental or accidental forward or rearward deflection of said unit for one reason or another. This feature is achieved by (1) a special movement guide surface for the reciprocating tongue element support, (2) the initial inclined mounting of the tongue element relative to the groove of the hook element, and (3) by special resilient or spring means adapted to exert a certain pressure or compensating force against the support of the tongue element in such manner as to counteract the initial tongue element inclination and seat the tongue portion thereof in such manner as to bring the entire sliding edge of said tongue portion in contact with the sliding surface of the groove in the hook element. This contacting relation of the tongue portion of the tongue element in the groove of the hook element is maintained irrespective of the referred to deflection of the assembled hook and tongue elements. It also maintains the precise and eflicient cooperative relation of the hook and tongue elements irrespective of looseness, play, or wear conditions, existing between certain parts of the needle unit operating parts and results in a smooth sliding action when the tongue element is moved longitudinally relative to the hook element.

In the accompanying drawings, my invention is shown in cooperative relation with certain usual and wellknown parts of a warp or tricot knitting machine. However, it will be understood by those skilled in this art that the practical and illustrative form of my invention there shown, comprising the novel elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship, can be applied in substantially the same, or a similar manner, to other knitting machines, so as to impart to the latter the various benefits and advantages of my novel improvements in substantially the same manner. This will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of my invention illustrated in the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, my novel needle structure comprises two separate complementary needle elements, namely, a hook element 1 and a tongue element 2, which elements are adapted to be moved in unison at one time and moved relative to each other at another time, for the purpose of effecting opened and closed action of the needle unit formed by these two elements. A series, or multiple arrangement of each of these elements 1 and 2, is first cast in laterally spaced and aligned relation in lead holders and a plurality of the latter in turn are fixedly combined and alignedly mounted on separate supporting members or bars 3 and 4, that are independently operable in such manner that the respective elements 1 and 2 coact while in opposed correspondingly laterally spaced and aligned relationship. The number of elements 1 and 2, so mounted on the bars 3 and 4, is determined by the gauge and width of the fabric to be knitted by the machine. elements 1 and 2 may be provided at their lower or mounting ends with butts 1 and 2 of the usual type formed on spring beard needles and the like, so as to facilitate mounting of the elements 1 and 2 in the usual manner of the practice followed when mounting needle devices for use in knitting machines. The complementary elements 1 and 2 are consequently assembled and mounted on their respective supporting bars 3 and 4, in accordance with the usual practice, and the bars 3 and 4 are secured to suitable operating supports for united cyclic actuation in timed relation with the other well-known knitting elements of the machine, by novel means hereinafter described.

The hook element 1 more particularly comprises, an elongated slender stem or shank portion 1*, having integrally formed at its lower end the previously referred to butt 1 and at its upper end a hook portion 1 The shank portion 1 is provided with a rectangular groove 1 adapted to receive for longitudinal sliding action therein the tongue portion of the element 2, as herein- As indicated in the drawings,

after explained. The hook portion 1 is provided with a special flat mating surface 1 that extends from the hook tip to the hook bight portion. 1 and is arranged at an angle to the shank portion 1 as clearly shown. The element 1 is formed of suitable needle stock which is preferably of a circular cross-sectional configuration in its initial form, so that the bight portion 1 of the hook 1, when shaped, will retain said form and have a circular outer surface that serves to deflect the conventional reciprocating yarn feeding guides of the machine (see Fig. 7) away from said mating surface 1 in the event that said guides come in contact with the surface of the hook element, at either side thereof, during their reciprocating movement between the ad jacently arranged needle structures of my invention.

The tongue element 2 more particularly comprises, a tongue portion 2, an intermediate portion 2 and an elongated slender straight stem or shank portion 2 having integrally formed at its lower end the previously mentioned butt 2 The tongue elements 2 are secured in their supports 4 in inclined relation as shown in Fig. 3, so that the free end or tip of the straight tongue portion 2 of the element 2 is inclined about A from the perpendicular. At its tip, the tongue portion 2 has a flat mating surface 2 arranged angularly along one side thereof in opposed relation to the mating surface 1 of the hook portion 1 of the element 1, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7. The tongue section 2 is integrally joined with the lower straight shank portion 2 by an angular intermediate shank portion 2 as shown in Fig. 3. The element 2 is preferably formed of rectangular needle stock so as to provide the tongue section 2 with a rectangular, cross-sectional configuration and flat side surfaces of such dimensions as to effect precise easy sliding fit in the rectangular groove 1 of the element 1.

It is to be particularly noted that the lower straight shank portion 2 of the element 2 is ofa substantially greater length than the other parts ofthe element 2. This portion 2 is tempered to provide it with spring resiliency so that it will act as a spring factor or resilient means adapted to establish the lateral yielding pressure of action required for forcing and maintaining the tongue portion 2 in contact surface aligned relation in the hook element groove 1 and to bring about a smooth sliding action between the contacting surfaces of the tongue portion 2 and the groove 1 of the hook element 1, as shown in Fig. 7.

In Fig. 7 the fabric section to which the new course of loops is added by the knitting cycle of Figs. ID to 15 inclusive, is indicated more or less schematically by the chain of loops F, and a warp yarn Y is shown extending upwardly therefrom on one side of the sinker 6, through the eye of yarn feeding guide 5. It will be understood that in Figs. 7 and to inclusive, the loop forming elements just referred to are duplicated and arranged in laterally spaced relationship, as usual, to an extent providing one such group of cooperating elements for each loop in the course of loops of the fabric being knitted by the machine. Also, that the elements 1 and 2 of my novel needle structure perform the usual function of a knitting machine needle in combination and timed rela tion with the other loop forming elements, such as the yarn feeding guides 5 and sinkers 6, to form successive interconnected loops, or stitches, by movements conforming substantially with the movements of such elements in the prior art warp knitting machines. In this arrangement the already described needle structure elements 1 and 2, will be recognized as constituting one novel phase of my invention and the further phases of the latter comprising the operating means for said needle structure elements and the new knitting method involved in operating the same, will next be explained.

Figs. 10 to 15 inclusive clearly illustrate the cooperating movements carried out by the hook element 1 and the tongue elements 2, during one loop forming operation, or knitting cycle of the machine, the more important positions of the elements 1 and 2 being shown in properly timed relation with the other usual loop forming elements, such as the yarn guides 5 and sinkers 6, only one of each of which is depicted in said figures so as to simplify the illustrations. By referring to Figs. 10 to 15 inclusive, in conjunction with Fig. 24, the extent of the movements carried out by the respective elements shown in said Figs. 10 to 15 inclusive will become clear. In Fig. 24 the successive vertical positions of said respective elements are indicated to actual scale by the perpendicular lines identified by the numerals 10 to 15 inclusive in correspondence with the figures of the drawings that show the said respective elements in their positional relationship in the knitting cycle depicted by Fig. 24.

Fig. 10 illustrates the first or initial positions occupied by the needle structure elements 1 and 2, the yarn guide 5 and the sinker 6 at the beginning of a knitting cycle in accordance with my novel knitting process, to effect the addition of a course of new loops to a knitted fabric section.

To effect movement of the needle structure elements 1 and 2, the yarn feed guides 5 and sinkers 6, disclosed in Figs. 10 to 15 inclusive, the warp knitting machine is constructed as usual and is provided with the various novel substitute or supplemental means and mechanisms shown in Figs. 10 to 15 and Figs. 20 to 23 inclusive. Only those parts and mechanisms are shown in said figures which directly pertain to the operation of the loop forming elements previously identified, the other usual and conventional parts and mechanisms of the warp knitting machine being omitted since their construction and operation is well-known.

It will be noted from Figs. 20 to 23 inclusive that the knitting mechanism of my invention is provided with a usual motor driven cam shaft '7, which is rotated at the desired speed and functions as a common motivating means for (1) the tongue element operating mechanism shown in Fig. 20, (2) the hook element operating mecha nism shown in Fig. 21, (3) the sinker operating mechanism shown in Fig. 22, and (4) the yarn feed guide operating mechanism shown in Fig. 23. Since the cam shaft 7 operates all the said mechanisms, the proper timing relationship of the latter is established with this common source of operating power.

The tongue element operating mechanism shown in Fig. 20 comprises a pair of similar cams 8 and 9 that are secured in adjacent diametrically opposed cam surface relationship on the cam shaft 7, a pair of similar cam rollers 10 and 11, that are adapted to cooperate with the peripheral edges of the cams 8 and 9 and are adjustably mounted for this purpose in correspondingly spaced relationship to said cams, on a supporting frame or lever 12. The lever 12 is secured to a rocking shaft 13 that extends longitudinally of the warp knitting machine and has secured thereto an arm 14 which is pivotally connected with a curved link 15. The latter is pivotally connected to the lower end of a slide element 1.6, the upper end of which has fixedly secured thereto a supporting plate 17 having attached thereto, at its top, the tongue element supporting bar 4. The slide element 16 is mounted for free vertical reciprocation, or sliding movement, in a bearing 18, which in turn is secured to the outer end of a lever 19 forming part of the mechanism for operating the hook elements 1.

' The hook element operating mechanism shown in Fig. 21 comprises a pair of similar cams 20 and 21 that are secured in adjacent diametrically opposed cam surface relationship on the cam shaft 7, a pair of similar cam rollers 23 and 24, that are adapted to cooperate with the peripheral edges of the cams 20 and 21 and are adjustably mounted for this purpose in correspondingly spaced relationship to said cams, on the supporting frame or lever 19. The lever 19 is secured to a rocking shaft 26 that extends longitudinally of the Warp knitting machine.

Rigidly secured to the free outer section of the lever 19, is a mounting plate 27 having fixed to its upper end the hook element bar 3. The mounting plate 27 has attached to the rear thereof a special thin hardened steel wear plate 28 provided with a smooth outer sliding surface against which rests the sliding surface of the slide element 16 and along which the latter is adapted to be reciprocated vertically by the tongue element operating mechanism previously described. The bearing 18, in which the slide element 16 is mounted for free sliding reciprocation, is U-shaped in cross-sectional configuration and is provided at one or both sides thereof with a flange that is bolted to the mounting plate 27, as clearly indicated in Fig. 10.

Special resilient or spring means is provided to maintain the smooth front sliding surface of the slide element 16 in constant contact with the smooth cooperating surface of the wear plate 23. The said special resilient means comprises an elongated helical compression spring 29, one end of which spring has inserted therein an anchoring screw stud 39 that is locked to the back of the tongue element supporting plate 17 by a nut 30 and the other end of which spring has inserted therein an anchoring screw stud 31 that is adjustably secured to a bracket 32 fixed to the lever 19 by bolts 33. The anchoring screw stud 31 is locked in position on the bracket 32 by a nut 34, and a second nut 35 is turnably mounted on the threaded portion of the stud 31 to provide longitudinal tension adjustment for the spring 29, one end of which latter rests thereagainst.

The sinker operating mechanism shown in Fig. 22 comprises a pair of similar cams 36 and 37 that are secured in adjacent diametrically opposed cam surface relation on the cam shaft 7, a. pair of similar cam rollers 38 and 39 that are adapted to cooperate with the peripheral edges of the cams 36 and 37 and are adjustably mounted for this purpose in correspondingly spaced relationship to said cams, on a supporting frame or lever 40. The lever 40 is secured to a rocking shaft 41 that extends longitudi nally of the warp knitting machine. An extension or arm 40 of the lever 40 has attached to its upper end a sinker bar 42 on which are secured the sinkers 6 in the usual spaced and aligned relationship required for proper cooperation with the other loop forming elements here involved.

The yarn feeding guide operating mechanism shown in I Fig. 23 comprises a pair of similar cams 43 and 44 that are secured in adjacent diametrically opposed cam surface relation on the cam shaft 7, a pair of similar cam rollers 45 and 46 that are adapted to cooperate with the peripheral edges of the earns 43 and 44 and are adjustably mounted for this purpose in correspondingly spaced relationship to said cams, on a supporting frame or lever 47. The lever 47 is secured to a rocking shaft 48 that extends longitudinally of the knitting machine. An extension or arm 47 of the lever 47 has pivotally connected therewith one end of a link 49 the other end of which is adjustably secured to an arm 50 in turn fixed to a shaft 51 that also extends longitudinally of the knitting machine. Dependingly secured to the shaft 51 is an arm 52 to the lower end of which is attached a yarn guide bar 53 on which are secured the yarn guide elements 5 in the usual spaced and aligned relationship required for proper cooperation with the other loop forming elements here involved. It will be noted that Fig. 23 shows a second yarn feeding guide arrangement depending from the shaft 51, which is similar to the arrangement already described and has been added in Fig. 23 to indicate that as many such yarn feeding guide arrangements may be added to the machine as desired, or required, in accordance with the conventional practice, to effect multiple yarn feeding operation of the machine in usual and well-known manner.

Modifications Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate a modification of the resilient means for maintaining the slide member on which the tongue elements 2 are mounted in pressure adjusted sliding relation with the smooth surface of the special wear plate 28. Since certain parts shown in Figs. 16 and 17 have already been identified and described, the said parts are designated by the same reference characters as previously, thereby to make repetitive description thereof unnecessary. The modified form of my invention disclosed in Figs. 16 and 17 comprises a supporting plate 17 which is similar to the supporting plate 17 previously described, but which has a vertical slot 54 formed in the rear section thereof forthe accommodation therein of a screw rod 55, one end of which is threadedly anchored in the mounting plate 27. Secured to the rear surface of the supporting plate 17 is a relatively thin cover plate 56 having a vertical slot similar to the slot 54 and in registry with the latter. Mounted on the screw stud is a circular unit 57 which at its front is provided with a circular steel ball and raceway arrangement so.

positioned that the steel balls thereof are in rolling contact with the plate 56. At the rear threaded end of the screw rod 55 are adjustably mounted a pair of similar locking nuts 58 adapted to be selectively positioned along the threaded portion of the rod 55, so as to adjustably vary the tension of a helical compression spring 59 mounted on said rod 55 between the unit 57 and a washer 60. When the slide element 16 is reciprocated in its bearing 18, the rod 55 will move up and down in the slots of the plates 17 and 56 and the steel balls of the unit 57 will freely roll along the outer surface of the plate 56, thereby effecting an anti-frictional action at this point.

Fig. 18 discloses another modification of the resilient means for maintaining the slide member on which the tongue elements 2 are mounted in pressure adjusted sliding relationwith the smooth surface of the special wear plate 28. This modification differs from the modification shown in Figs. 16 and 17, only in that a mounting member 61 is provided for the elements 2, having a front vertical section adapted to directly slide along the smooth surface of the wear plate 28 and having a slot 62 formed therein for cooperation therewith of an adjustable spring pressure means corresponding substantially with the adjustable spring pressure means already disclosed in Figs. 16 and 17. It will be noted, however, that in the arrangement of Fig. 18, no slide member is provided which corresponds with the slide member 16 of the previous arrangements described. Instead, a member 63 is provided which is fixedly attached at the rear of the mounting member 61 and functions to connect the latter for vertical reciprocating movement with the link 15 of the tongue element operating mechanism shown in Fig. 20. Since all the other parts shown in Fig. 18 have already been identified and described, the said parts are designated by the same reference characters in Fig. 18, as previously, thereby to avoid repetition of their description. However, the parts of the spring pressure means corresponding substantially with the form of spring pressure means first disclosed in Figs. 16 and 17 have the exponent a added to the reference characters thereof for purposes of differentiation.

Fig. 19 discloses a further modification of the resilient means for maintaining the slide member on which the tongue elements 2 are mounted in pressure adjusted sliding relation with the smooth surface of the special wear plate 28. This modification differs from the arrangee ment shown throughout Figs. 10 to 15 inclusive only in that a curved leaf spring 64 has, one end thereof fixed to the supporting plate 17 in suitable and practical manner, as by a screw 65, and the other end thereof is in tensioned contact with a bar, or angle 66 that extends longitudinally of the machine and is preferably mounted so to be adjustably movable in a forward and backward direction, thereby to effect selective tensioning of the leaf spring 64. It will be understood that the angle bar 66 is arranged to function as a single tension adjusting member for as many springs 64 as may be arranged in the manner shown in Fig. 19, along a single machine section, or along the entire machine.

It was previously indicated that the tongue elements 2 (see Fig. 3) are secured in their supports 4 in inclined relation, so that the free ends or tips of the straight tongue portions 2 are all similarly inclined about A; inch from the perpendicular. It will be understood that while this dimension for the inclination is preferable and has been found in practice to elfect best operational results, the said inclination may be increased, or decreased, if desired, to correspondingly vary the resilient or tensional relationship between the hook element 1 and tongue element 2 when assembled for united and relative operation in the manner of my invention.

Of course, it will also be understood that the practical and illustrative embodiments of my various improvements specifically shown and described, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the inventive subject matter herein disclosed and hereinafter more particularly defined by the claims.

Operation By referring to Figs. to inclusive, in conjunction with the movement diagram of Fig. 24, it will become clear how the novel needle structure of my invention operates, step by step, during the performance of a knitting cycle.

Fig. 10 shows the loop forming elements substantially as positionally related to each other at the beginning of the knitting cycle. At this point, the hook element 1 is moving upwardly but has not quite reached its uppermost position. The tongue element 2 is in its lowermost position so that its tip is located below the hook tip of the element 1 by a distance representing substantially the full extent of separation of said tip and the tip of the tongue element 2, when the needle unit, or structure, is in its open, or yarn receiving condition. The yarn guide 5 is moving past the needle structure from left to right in Fig. 10 and the sinker 6 is in substantially its initial or inactive position where the sinker slot maintains the last formed loop of the fabric F in lowered position on the needle structure unit, i. e. at the bottom of the sinker slot in Fig. 10.

Fig. 11 shows the loop forming elements substantially as positionally related to each other at position 11 in Fig. 24. At this point the hook element 1 has reached and is being maintained in its uppermost position, the tongue element 2 is moving upwardly and is approaching its uppermost position, the yarn guide 5 has carried out its maximum movement from left to right for lateral shifting across the front of the hook element and the sinker 6 is still in its initial inactive position.

Fig. 12 shows the loop forming elements substantially as positionally related to each other at position 12 in Fig. 24. At this point, the yarn guide 5 has been shifted laterally across the front of the hook element 1 and has partially completed its return movement from right to left in Fig. 12 so as to lay the yarn across the hook element 1 below the hook portion thereof. The hook element has moved downwardly a short distance from its uppermost position, the tongue element 2 has reached its uppermost position and is being maintained at the same, whereas the sinker 6 is still at its initial or inactive position, but about to begin its movement from left to right.

Fig. 13 shows the loop forming elements substantially as positionally related to each other at position 13 in Fig. 24. At this point, the hook element 1 has been moved downwardly to the position where its mating surface 1 is in contacting registry with the mating surface 2 of the tongue element 2 so that the needle structure or unit is now closed. The yarn guide 5 has been completely retracted from right to left and the sinker 6 has been moved from left to right so that the yarn Y extending from the yarn guide 5 under the hook portion 1 of the hook element 1 is in readiness to be drawn through the last loop previously added to the fabric P, which last loop is engaged about the needle structure unit and has been moved upwardly therealong to substantially the top of the sinker slot, due to the movement of the sinker 6 from left to right almost to its fullest extent. During the movement just described, the last loop previously added to the fabric F has been shifted, or moved upwardly by the said action of the sinker slot, along the back portion of the tongue element portion which at: this point is in its hook closing position attained when the mating surfaces I and 2 are in registry with each other, as shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 14 shows the loop forming elements substantially as positionally related to each other at position 14 in Fig. 24. At this point the hook element 1 and the tongue element 2 have moved downwardly in unison to their lowermost position while the needle structure is closed. The sinker 6 has been moved to its maximum position from left to right and has begun its return movement from right to left. The yarn guide 5 is being maintained in its maximum movement position to the left, and the yarn extending downwardly from the yarn guide 5 through the closed needle structure has now formed a new loop which has been pulled down through the last previous loop of the fabric P.

Fig. 15 shows the loop forming elements substantially as positionally related to each other at position 15 in Fig. 24. During the time interval which has elapsed between positions 14 and 15, as indicated. in Fig. 24, the hook element 1, tongue element 2, yarn guide 5 and sinker 6, have been returned to the initial or starting position of the knitting cycle, also indicated at the left end of the diagram of Fig. 24 by the position zero. in other words, the said loop forming elements have been returned to their starting positions and in doing so the newly formed loop of the fabric is now formed about the needle structure at the same location where a loop had been located when the knitting cycle was begun, as above described.

It is to be noted that during the cyclic movement just described, the spring 29 maintains the front surface of the tongue element supporting bar 17 in sliding contact with the smooth surface of the wear plate 28, so that the vertical movement carried out by the tongue element 2 is precisely guided in this manner. Also, due to the inclined mounting of the tongue element 2 in its supporting lug or piece 4 and the resiliency of the lower longer section of the tongue element 2 the tongue portion 2 of the tongue element 2, when seated in the groove 1 of the hook element 1, will be held in tensioned contacting relation, so that any forward or rearward deflection, flexing, or feathering of the needle structure will not result in any separation of the tongue element portion 2 fromits properly seated contacting position in the groove 1 of the hook element 1. in other words, during the relative, or joint movement of the needle structure, the hook element 1 and the tongue element 2 carry out their precise movements, as required to perform a loop forming operation, irrespective of any forward or rearward deflection of the needle structure which may he accidentally or otherwise caused during the knitting cycle. Then too, the exact positional relationship between the hook element 1 and tongue element 2 is maintained at all times ed to be cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; a separate mounting unit for each of said elements one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; and means for effecting sliding movement of one of said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle.

2. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle structure comprising a pair of complementary elements adapted to be cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; a separate mounting unit for each of said elements one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; means for effecting sliding movement of one of Said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle; and means for maintaining a predetermined lateral pressure on the unit which carries out said sliding movement.

3. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle structure comprising a pair of complementary elements adapted to be cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; a sep arate mounting unit for each of said elements one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; means for effecting sliding movement Of one of said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle; and adjustable means for selectively applying lateral pressure on the unit which carries out said sliding movement.

4. In a'knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle struc ture comprising a pair of complementary elements adapted to be cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; a separate mounting unit for each of said elements one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; means for eifecting united movement of said units during the knitting cycle; and means for eifecting sliding movement of one of said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle.

5. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a plurality of needle devices each comprising a pair of complementary elements that are adapted to be cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; two separate units for supporting the respective elements of the needle devices in laterally spaced cooperating relation with each other one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; and means for effecting sliding movement of one of said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle.

6. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a plurality of needle devices each comprising a pair of complementary elements that are adapted to be cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; two separate units for supporting the respective elements of the needle devices in laterally spaced cooperating relation with each other one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; means for effecting united movement of said units during the knitting cycle; and means for effecting sliding movement of one of said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle.

7. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a plurality of needle devices each comprising a pair of complementary elements that are adapted to be cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; two separate units for supporting the respective elements of the needle devices in laterally spaced cooperating relation with each other one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; a separate wear resistant contact surface forming member on one of said units along which the other unit is adapted to be slidingly moved; and means for effecting such sliding movement of one of the units along the wear resistant surface of said member during the knitting cycle.

8. A knitting mechanism comprising; yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; a needle structure comprising a pair of complementary elements adapted to be independently and cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; a separate mounting unit for each of said elements one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; means for eifecting sliding movement of one of said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle; and pressure means for urging one of said units toward the other.

9. A knitting mechanism in accordance with claim 8, in which the said pressure means includes an adjustable helical spring device.

10. A knitting mechanism in accordance with claim 8, in which the said pressure means includes an adjustable leaf spring device.

11. A knitting mechanism in accordance with claim 8, in which the said pressure means includes an anti-friction device.

12. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle structure comprising one or more hook elements and a corresponding number of tongue elements adapted to be independently and cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; a separate mounting unit for each of said respective elements one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; and means for effecting sliding movement of one of said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle.

13. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle structure comprising one or more hook elements and a corresponding number of tongue elements adapted to be independently and cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; a separate mounting unit for each of said respective elements one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; means for effecting sliding movement of one of said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle; and means for effecting united movement of said units during the knitting cycle.

14. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle structure comprising one or more hook elements and a corresponding number of tongue elements adapted to be independently and cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; a separate mounting unit for each of said respective elements one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; means for effecting sliding movement of one of said units relative to the other during the knitting cycle; means for effecting united movement of said units during the knitting cycle; and spring means for urging one of said units toward the other.

15. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guides and sinkers arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle structure comprising one or more hook elements and a corresponding number of tongue elements adapted to be independently and cooperatively moved longitudinally relative to each other during their loop forming operation; a separate mounting unit for each of said respective elements one of which units is slidingly guided on the other of said units; a Wear resistant member interposed between said units; means for effecting sliding movement of one of said units relative to the other of said units on said wear resistant member during the knitting cycle; means for effecting united movement of said units during the knitting cycle; and spring pressures means for main taining said one unit in contacting relation with said wear resistant member during the knitting cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Morton et a1. Apr. 18, Peel et a1. Aug. 4, Peel et a1. Nov. 3, Cotterill Jan. 11, Amidon May 10, 

